STILLWATER SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

PTA Spring Flower Fundraiser 5/18/26 to 5/22/26

Spring Music Concert 5/21/26 at 7:00 PM

Memorial Day - School Closed 5/25/26

PTA Son Event 5/29/26

Board of Education Meeting 6/1/26 7:00 PM in Library

PTA Meeting 6/1/26

Field Day 6/12/26

Field Day Rain Date for Activities 6/15/26 12:40 PM Dismissal

Field Day Rain Date for Kickball 6/16/26 12:40 PM Dismissal

Last Day of School 6/17/26 12:40 PM Dismissal - Happy Summer!

Kindergarten is getting close to the end of an amazing school year! We have started our exciting ABC Countdown to the last day of school. Each day, we celebrate with a fun activity that matches the letter of the day. For "A" Day, students brought their favorite animal stuffie to school and had so much fun sharing them with friends!

We are looking forward to all of the special activities ahead as we finish the year together. Kindergarten has worked incredibly hard this year, and we are so proud of how much each student has learned and grown. What a fun and memorable year it has been!

Mrs. Newman

Our Preschool Gross Motor class has been full of energy, excitement, and so much growth this year! The children have had an amazing time building important movement skills through creative activities, obstacle courses, music and movement, and team games. Throughout the year, students practiced balancing, jumping, hopping, throwing, catching, kicking, climbing, and coordination skills while gaining confidence and having fun with friends.

We have played so many exciting games this year that kept everyone moving and smiling! From relay races and parachute play to animal walks, beanbag challenges, and cooperative group games, every class brought new adventures and opportunities to learn. It has been wonderful watching the children strengthen their gross motor skills, teamwork, listening skills, and confidence while having such a great time together. What a fun and active year it has been!

Mrs. Green

GEMS Makes Math Easier!

This month, fifth graders are learning a new way to remember the order of operations called GEMS. While many students may have heard of PEMDAS, GEMS helps students better understand what to do when solving math expressions.

GEMS stands for:

• G – Grouping Symbols

• E – Exponents

• M – Multiply and Divide

• S – Subtract and Add

GEMS reminds students that multiplication and division are equally important and should be solved from left to right. The same rule applies to subtraction and addition.

Using GEMS encourages students to think carefully about each step instead of memorizing confusing shortcuts. This strategy helps build stronger problem-solving skills and deeper understanding in math.

Great job, fifth graders!

Mrs. Bickhardt

Our 5th grade artists recently completed Abstract Portraits inspired by Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso. Geometric lines and shapes were used to create their original designs. An image transfer was completed onto styrofoam paper. With white ink and a brayer, the images were printed on black paper, creating bold contour lines. Color was added with oil pastels, using Value as an Element of Design.

Mrs. Piazza

Keeping Kids Engaged at the End of the School Year

As the school year winds down and summer approaches, students often grow restless. For parents, this final stretch can be tough—but it’s also a chance to keep kids focused and engaged with the right strategies. Encourage time outdoors to satisfy their need for movement, and stay curious about what they’re learning by asking thoughtful questions. Stick to consistent routines to maintain focus, and help your child reflect on the school year to reinforce their progress. Small rewards can keep motivation up, and connecting school topics to summer plans can make learning feel relevant. Creative, hands-on projects can also boost excitement, while staying positively involved with teachers shows kids that their education still matters. Engagement now sets the tone for continued learning and a strong finish to the school year! Check out the video below for more tips! https://www.edutopia.org/video/keeping-elementary-students-engaged-as-the-year-winds-down/

Mrs. Riva

Our 3rd grade students are officially cleared for takeoff! Over the past few weeks, the Makerspace has been transformed into Flight School! It wasn’t just "plane" fun either, these junior aviators dove deep into the science of the skies by learning the "Four Forces of Flight" and how Thrust battles Drag to get us moving, and Lift overcomes Gravity to keep us soaring.

Our pilots-in-training will be practicing monitoring airspeed and tracking altitude while taking the yoke of a Cessna in our flight simulator! From nervous excitement to the focused concentration required for piloting an airplane, our brave young students are handling the pressure like pros!